Sick as a dog...

Bubba. Kingston, ON, July 2008

I have been down with an infection all week that is holding on for dear life and won't let go. I went back to work today but still feel "under the weather." To make matters worse, we have been in the midst of renovations so I haven't gotten the proper rest I need to make a full recovery. I had high hopes to blog this week, but life turned out differently. C'est la vie. I hope you are having a good week. Looking forward to reading your blogs this weekend! Be careful you don't end up in the "doghouse!"

Happy Earth Day!

July 2009, Mary Lake, ON-from the beach at Camp Mini-Yo-We

"First this: God created the Heavens and Earth--all you see, all you don't see... God named the land Earth. He named the pooled water Ocean.
God saw that it was good.
God spoke: 'Earth, green up! Grow all varieties of seed-bearing plants, every sort of fruit-bearing tree." And there it was. Earth produced green seed-bearing plants, all varieties, and fruit-bearing trees of all sorts. '
God saw that it was good.
God spoke: 'Lights! Come out! Shine in Heaven's sky!...Mark seasons and days and years, lights in Heaven's sky to give light to Earth.' And there it was. God made two big lights, the larger to take charge of day, the smaller to be in charge of night; and He made the stars. God placed them in the heavenly sky to light up Earth and oversee day and night, to separate light and dark.'
God saw that it was good.
God spoke: 'Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind...and there it was.' God saw that it was good. God spoke: 'Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting God's nature so they can BE RESPONSIBLE FOR the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, AND YES, EARTH ITSELF and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.'
God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good!"
(Genesis 1, The Message)

Let us not forget God's admonition for us to be responsible for this incredible Earth we inhabit, for this Earth He created for us to savor. Basque in its glory. Basque in the glory of its Creator.
Happy Earth Day!

Dreaming of Summer...

"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair."
-- Kahlil Gibran

July 2008, view of the North Sea from the Ards Peninsula, Northern Ireland

What I saw today while out riding my new bike...

... isn't she cute! I love her!

We woke up to the work of graffiti "artists" in our neighbourhood...on the wall of the school...

...on the bus shelter...

...on the garbage can...

...on the emergency exit at our apartment building. Our superintendent has now repainted the door so it is as good as new!

In spite of the graffiti, spring is in the air...

Enjoy your Easter weekend!

"Christ the Lord has Risen today....Hallelujah!"

Tragedy in my old neighbourhood

Amidst tragedy there is hope. I do believe that. I want to believe that. However, this mindset is difficult for me at times when I see stories like this involving the teenagers in our community. This stabbing took place near the public high school where I graduated. It is at good neighbourhood. This incident, murder actually, rattled our community. No longer are high school fights with just fists. They usually involve weapons of some kind. Why are so many young people today filled with so much anger. I deal with this anger on a regular basis in my job. It saddens me. It frustrates me. I see apathy. I see disrespect. I see deep hurt. I see fear. Even so, I do see a refreshing honesty. I can get bogged down and overwhelmed with the negative side of what I experience in my job and forget the teenagers who are making a difference.

It was a rough week. Yet, I was so encouraged and blessed by the following email I received from one of my former students at GCC, a private university preparatory high school:

"Hello Miss W.!
It is so good to hear from you. I just have to tell you that I still think about how much you made my time at GCC better. I am so grateful for you driving me to church on Sundays and really reaching out to all of us girls back in High School. You made my time at GCC so much better! Thank you!
I am still living in California.. . I have been working as a high school teacher for two boys who are professional surfers and due to their travel schedules cannot attend a traditional school (yes, they have a rough life -eh?). It is a great job and my students are very nice. ..
I just love Face Book - it is so fun to get connected with people from years past! Thank you once again for everything you did for all of us girls at GCC. I can't imagine how different my first experience living away from home would have been, if it were not for your kindness!"

There is hope amidst tragedy. I pray this generation of teenagers will make it safely to the other side unscathed.

Is this part of my job description?

The following is an excerpt from my Facebook status last Thursday:

"K.W. is wondering if it is in her job description to warn of impending physical doom due to certain wardrobe malfunctions! hehehehe! Nah! I'll let them figure that one out on their own!"

Is anyone curious of the story behind my status?! I felt like some secret agent writing in a secret code so as to not give too many details away in a public place where my co-workers lurk! I wasn't sure how much information I could share on FB but wanted to tell the story here on my own blog.

The person in question was the female student who dropped the "F-bomb" on me here. (Just in case you were wondering, she has settled down and is actually asking for my help again!)

Are there things you know now that you wish you knew back when you were a teenager? Things that would have made your life easier? For me, yes. Would it have made any difference though? I think part of the rite of passage of adolescence is learning things the hard way!

Let me tell you I was so tempted to impart my "wisdom" to my "F-bomb" student on Thursday afternoon when I walked into her class. I noticed she was wearing a tank top that revealed just a bit too much, with very little support! We do have a dress code at school but obviously no one approached her about her inappropriate dress. I'm sure they were dealing with other pressing matters! A thought crossed my mind as I was helping this young girl with her math. Do I dare give her this piece of advice that will MOST definitely be advantageous when she gets to be my age?! She will thank me! I wanted to whisper in her ear, " you need to buy a better bra honey, one that will support you more fully than the what you are barely wearing now. Gravity kicks in at my age and things change forever. There's on turning back. But you can do something about it NOW!" However, I exhibited restraint and bit my tongue. I didn't want her to" give me the finger" again! She will have to learn the hard way, just like me!

At least there are some of my students who appreciate my words of wisdom. One boy in grade 8 told me on Friday, "Miss W., I tell you things I don't even tell my parents or other people." I chuckled to myself because I'm not exactly sure what "things" he is referring to. He hasn't revealed any deep dark secrets to my knowledge! He does however like to go "off on tangents" when he is supposed to be doing his math. On Friday he asked me about drugs! I told him after he completed his math, I would answer a couple of his questions. There is never a dull moment. All part of the job! It truly is a privilege to be part of the team that is equipping these young students for their future endeavours.

Tutoring for the technically challenged individual

Look at this adorable 2 year old I encountered at church on Sunday night while rehearsing with our band. I couldn't believe he knew his way around this...







... Yup, an iPod touch! This two year old who can barely form sentences I understand actually taught me, a technically challenged older young woman, how to use this device! It was priceless. And look how adorable he is with his snazzy headphones! I think he should start his own business for the technically challenged!